The Black Excellence Brunch joined forces with Amazon Web Services (AWS) during this year’s AfroTech conference, creating a vibrant, affirming space for Black professionals in technology. The event, curated by media entrepreneur Trell Thomas, celebrated community, creativity, and empowerment while reinforcing the brunch’s reputation as one of the most influential networking gatherings for Black excellence in the United States.
Founded in 2018, the Black Excellence Brunch was inspired by the family-style Sunday meals of Thomas’s childhood. It has since evolved into a national movement connecting professionals, creatives, and community leaders through conversation, culture, and celebration. Over the years, it has hosted gatherings in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta, and even held a landmark White House edition in 2024 — a first for the series.
At AfroTech, the partnership with AWS reflected a growing trend of technology firms collaborating with culturally rooted initiatives to amplify Black representation in tech. The brunch served as both a networking hub and a safe space for attendees to exchange ideas about innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusion. Photographed by CRV Productions and produced by Yuandus, the event drew leading professionals and founders across the tech ecosystem.
Thomas shared his reflections on Threads, expressing gratitude for the community that continues to sustain and expand the brunch’s impact. “We have done so much and really are just getting started,” he wrote, highlighting the importance of joy and affirmation within Black professional spaces.
The collaboration with AWS signals a new direction for the Black Excellence Brunch as it broadens its reach into digital industries. It also underscores how tech companies are increasingly investing in initiatives that foster visibility, mentorship, and opportunity for underrepresented communities. The partnership at AfroTech demonstrates how cultural entrepreneurship and corporate innovation can intersect to empower Black professionals and reinforce representation in the global tech landscape.
